Why We Dance

What do Pueblo corn dances, “West Side Story,” break dancing, and Balinese trance dances share in common? Does every society dance for the same reasons? Are the deepest mysteries of human existence imbued within dances we do? Join choreographer and producer Spider Kedelsky for a video talk traveling through world cultures to discover the joy and wisdom of dance. 

Presenter

Spider Kedelsky received three National Endowment for the Arts Choreography Fellowships and the Los Angeles Vanguard Award for outstanding group choreography. He taught and created work for dance artists in a number of American colleges and universities, and for dance companies in the US and overseas. As a producer he organized the first American tour by Australian Aboriginal Artists, was the director of the Los Angeles International Dance Festival, and curated the Dance and Music of Africa programs at the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival. In 1999, Spider was the co-founder of the cultural center Town Hall Seattle where he presented the Global Rhythms Series and acted as director of community programs. He and his wife divide their time between Santa Fe and Seattle.

For accommodations such as translations, ASL interpreters, or disability needs, please email library@santafenm.gov or call 505-955-6786.

UNEARTH A STORY this Summer at SFPL!

This program is part of the Santa Fe Public Library's 2026 ALL AGES Summer Reading program.